Search found 2948 matches

by mortfree
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Soccer for kids - supplemental practice drills, suggestions, etc
Replies: 18
Views: 1379

Re: Soccer for kids - supplemental practice drills, suggestions, etc

Know the rules

Dribbling (use cones too). Head up

Trapping the ball (feet, knees, chest)

Kicking techniques (passing vs shooting etc)

Juggling the ball with feet and knees

Buy a small portable goal for outside

It’s all about repetition and practice to master the basic skills

You can toss or kick the ball during trapping exercises.

Watch older kids or games on tv or in person if there are pro teams in your area.

Even video games can help with understanding the game.
by mortfree
Sun Mar 10, 2024 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14913

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

I have never done the cash in the home thing (being technical)

Lately though I feel the need to carry more cash as some businesses want to charge me fees for using a credit card.

Before I’d have about $20 on me and no more than $60
by mortfree
Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken 2019 and forward
Replies: 1061
Views: 114288

Re: Quicken 2019 and forward

If you need to renew soon, Newegg is selling quicken deluxe for $36 and then $4 off. So $32 plus tax
by mortfree
Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Recast mortgage to pay off faster or keep taxable investments
Replies: 16
Views: 1057

Re: Recast mortgage to pay off faster or keep taxable investments

Can you really afford to put 400k of your wealth towards the house?
by mortfree
Wed Feb 28, 2024 1:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SNOW blower Toro Vs Arien (24")
Replies: 21
Views: 2067

Re: SNOW blower Toro Vs Arien (24")

I have the Ariens snowblower bought in 2017.

It’s the second one as I traded in the first for the one above.

I would definitely buy again.

Only thing I don’t like on that model is how I have to rotate the blower. It takes some coordination.

And the electric start is good.

Be sure to turn off the gas after each use - assuming the newer ones have that feature too.
by mortfree
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?
Replies: 44
Views: 5190

Re: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?

For anyone concerned about appearance…

Think of how you look saying “What?” all the time.

Get the HAs.

People walk around with air pods and other hearables now.

Not a big deal.

When in doubt. Try Costco first
by mortfree
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Feedback Request on providing a saving incentive
Replies: 13
Views: 1168

Re: Feedback Request on providing a saving incentive

Payoff their student loan(s)

Way too complicated with the matching and then the trust to wait for the youngest to be 59 (or 55)

What if they don’t make it to that age? They will never see the money.

It’s quite a game you have setup with complex rules and penalties too?!?!?

Print off “If you can”

Buy a finance book for them like millionaire next door; bogel guide to investing, etc
by mortfree
Fri Feb 23, 2024 3:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying off credit card debt
Replies: 31
Views: 3055

Re: Paying off credit card debt

Get a second job

Sell stuff

Find a family member, if any, to help and repay them (not something OP should do for friend)

9000 isn’t a lot but they are facing an uphill battle due to interests rate and small (relative) $400 payment towards the debt.

Good life lesson and glad to see they are using the debit card instead of credit given their habits.

I never use a debit card to buy things but I don’t have problems budgeting or paying my credit cards in full each month (lucky to be in that position)
by mortfree
Tue Feb 20, 2024 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: payroll company, employer or my fault?
Replies: 47
Views: 2475

Re: payroll company, employer or my fault?

How much was taken from your paycheck for federal taxes?

What bracket would your salary fall in because your employer doesn’t know your husbands salary?

For instance my wife paid $9 in federal taxes this year.
by mortfree
Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?
Replies: 126
Views: 19026

Re: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?

VTI is 12% made up of two stocks - Apple and MS. Just 2 stocks. It is 31% technology. That is not "the market". That is not how to diversify. Wise to include other funds, in addition to VTI. What other funds are you recommending we include? The other funds that I like to increase diversity are VTV, Value Index or the ETF. You get to diversify from the heavy tech VTI and also get to work Berkshire Hatheway into your holdings, which is fun/nice. Also nice to get more diversity to have 30% in international VXUS, as I think the US market is overpriced. Lookout for all the followup debate on not timing the US market, and all the debate on "you don't need to diversify with international bec US market incorporates it, etc etc. &quo...
by mortfree
Sat Feb 17, 2024 3:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: should I make additional principal payments
Replies: 22
Views: 2819

Re: should I make additional principal payments

7000 towards a 940,000 mortgage and sometimes paying $300 extra so you can pay it off early just seems like a strange approach as those numbers aren’t going to put much of a dent in that loan.

You’re in CA, a non recourse state.

Now if you are going to use some of your other funds to tackle the mortgage to get at or below 750k that’s another story.

But the eggs you have now will just be shifted to your home and you lose that liquidity.

I’m sure klangfool will be along to say similar but with better details and explanation.
by mortfree
Fri Feb 16, 2024 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Patio Doors
Replies: 6
Views: 954

Re: Patio Doors

Another brand would be ProVia

I have double doors in my basement leading to the exterior. Very nice product and one you might want to consider
by mortfree
Mon Feb 12, 2024 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anticipating a lay off
Replies: 25
Views: 3749

Re: Anticipating a lay off

If your only life insurance is through your employer consider picking up a policy for term life insurance that suits your needs.
by mortfree
Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with a 5k CD about to mature
Replies: 5
Views: 1113

Re: What to do with a 5k CD about to mature

Roth contribution
by mortfree
Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbotax "support" is the worst!
Replies: 41
Views: 3791

Re: Turbotax "support" is the worst!

IRS has free fillable forms that you submit online. They worked really well for me - I had always filled the forms out and mailed them in.

Refund in 7 days from submission and acceptance.
by mortfree
Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does this build credit for kids, add as user on credit card
Replies: 14
Views: 1342

Re: Does this build credit for kids, add as user on credit card

I just added my 10 year old to my oldest credit card. No SSN required but I had to give date of birth.

I was tempted to add the 3 year old but wanted to see if 10 year old got rejected for some reason.

30 years ago before I went to college I opened my own credit card and the limit was under $1000. I used it to pay for books then paid it off immediately. Still to this day I have never paid credit card interest.
by mortfree
Fri Feb 09, 2024 1:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time for a new roof and it’s the first one I’m replacing - help!
Replies: 20
Views: 2725

Re: Time for a new roof and it’s the first one I’m replacing - help!

Your home will be a construction zone for a day or two. Lots of banging and you will feel the house shake. If you have yard decorations, solar lights or garden type stuff, patio furniture etc. bring it inside or move it far away from the house. Do not mulch your gardens until the roof is done. Determine where the dumpster will end up. They tried to put it in my driveway but I caught them in time and had them put it in the road. Other than shingles, the ridge vent is another important item. The crew will sweep the perimeter for nail and debris but you will still find stuff after they are gone. So you may want to do some cleanup on your own for whatever they miss. Especially if you have a driveway. Don’t want nails in your car tires. Check th...
by mortfree
Thu Feb 08, 2024 1:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Windfall woes... looking for some perspective!
Replies: 32
Views: 6235

Re: Windfall woes... looking for some perspective!

Remembered and found this discussion on advisors. Thought it might interest you

viewtopic.php?t=360823

And a more recent one that led me to the above
viewtopic.php?t=394961
by mortfree
Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ETrade Morgan Stanley Forms 1099 to Expect for 2023
Replies: 8
Views: 1538

Re: ETrade Morgan Stanley Forms 1099 to Expect for 2023

For E*Trade taxable I hold Apple stock.

My first 1099 came through with quarterly dividends for the first three quarters. Issued Jan 25.

My second 1099 came through Feb 5 with the November quarterly dividend.

I had contacted them via chat in late January to ask why November wasn’t included and was told a separate 1099 would be issued.

Strangely my kids taxable accounts hadn’t issued 1099’s as of yesterday. But they are there tonight and dated Feb 5 even though I know they weren’t there yesterday
by mortfree
Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking
Replies: 166
Views: 20733

Re: DW Laid Off, I'm Panicking

I think two people pointed this out but when I see expenses are pre-tax I would bet that includes 401k contributions and the catchup. Maybe medical and taxes. Or maybe kids go to private school.

He’s maxing both so if he were really in bad shape he could just lower the 401k contributions to get the match.

I don’t recall if that was suggested anywhere maybe because income is 260k and we don’t have exact details on expenses
by mortfree
Sat Feb 03, 2024 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stopping 401k Contributions for Bonus
Replies: 44
Views: 4690

Re: Stopping 401k Contributions for Bonus

My Fidelity 401k has a separate box to select the contribution amount for my bonus. I go with 6% to get the match.


Guess yours doesn’t. Might be something to bring to an administrator for future change
by mortfree
Fri Feb 02, 2024 3:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Paying off mortgage in 5 years. Switch from VTSAX to another investment vehicle?
Replies: 19
Views: 1843

Re: Paying off mortgage in 5 years. Switch from VTSAX to another investment vehicle?

Could you just target to get the mortgage down to a certain principle so that when you do have to refinance, the payment would be manageable?

At your income level I’m expecting that you have quite a large loan balance (>500k??). If not then maybe the refi won’t be as painful as you think
by mortfree
Wed Jan 31, 2024 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First time Amtrak train ride. Is there anything I should know?
Replies: 36
Views: 4966

Re: First time Amtrak train ride. Is there anything I should know?

Lone train experience mid-90’s from PA to FL. Train lost communication (of some sort) early on so they had to lower the speed to be safe.

Think it took 4 hours longer than expected.
by mortfree
Sun Jan 28, 2024 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is paying off a 2.99% mortgage always a bad idea?
Replies: 332
Views: 24666

Re: Is paying off a 2.99% mortgage always a bad idea?

You purposely took out / refinanced a mortgage for the historically low rate and there was probably a thread about that too.

You had the investments then but chose the mortgage.

I would be ignoring your total invested assets and only looking at your taxable account versus mortgage balance. You’re basically 2x the mortgage in taxable.

Keep piling up the savings and investments while you’re still employed with great income.

Side note: I’m pretty sure KF has been predicting the next recession for at least 10 years as I’ve been on BH about that long.
by mortfree
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone Ever Retire With a 6-Month Notice?
Replies: 50
Views: 4592

Re: Anyone Ever Retire With a 6-Month Notice?

If it’s the project that is driving your timeline for retiring could you somehow link your retirement to a specific milestone?

Whether that has to be the end of the project or maybe somewhere right before it crosses the finish line.

Then you don’t have to have a hard and fast date. And they see you are committed to the project prior to retiring
by mortfree
Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: At what invested net worth do contributions start to matter less?
Replies: 48
Views: 8281

Re: At what invested net worth do contributions start to matter less?

For me it’s kind of at the point where my portfolio can increase or decrease in a single day close to the amount I contribute in a year.

Right now on any given kind of normal stock market day I can be up or down say 8-10k. In a bad day 15k or so.

Which is still less than half of my annual contributions.
by mortfree
Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay down mortgage? Invest?
Replies: 96
Views: 8860

Re: Pay down mortgage? Invest?

Focusing on retirement as others have mentioned is the way to go. But for the mortgage there is no harm in setting up an amortization schedule to track the pay down. You can play around with that to see when you would hit 100k balance or some other milestone. For me I do put some extra money towards the mortgage but it’s usually less than one mortgage payment. I plan this out in 5 year intervals. Right now I want to ensure that principal pay down is $8k per year so I figure out what extra payments I need to make to reach that goal - usually I do extra on my February payment and my December payment. That’s just one way to play around with it. But again it’s under $1000 (P&I). My scale is much less (150k owed) but you get the idea. Or may...
by mortfree
Sun Jan 07, 2024 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: We are stuck with the house... !?)
Replies: 38
Views: 7402

Re: We are stuck with the house... !?)

What week did you have it listed?

Coming off major holiday seasons in 4Q

Sorry if I missed that detail if it was mentioned
by mortfree
Sat Jan 06, 2024 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 155
Views: 27351

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

Bendgate
Antennagate
Whatevergate

Normal pattern for aapl.

Nice run up.

Analysts want in so someone points out a bad thing.

Then they buy in.

Holding since 2007 with infrequent buys over time.

One day it will fall. Again
by mortfree
Sun Dec 31, 2023 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP; worth joining?
Replies: 74
Views: 10048

Re: AARP; worth joining?

Never realized that aarp is available to individuals 18 years or older.

You may not be eligible for some things depending on your age (“like age restricted insurance products”)
by mortfree
Fri Dec 29, 2023 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a new car with cash
Replies: 56
Views: 6589

Re: Buying a new car with cash

Bought a Honda this week.

Was allowed to put $2500 on a credit card and $2500 with a personal check.

I wanted to give more but they wanted a certified check

I ended up taking a 4 year loan and with my first payment of the additional money I wanted to pay upfront…. I am now down to a 3 year loan.
by mortfree
Sat Dec 16, 2023 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sell from taxable to payoff debt?
Replies: 10
Views: 1469

Re: Sell from taxable to payoff debt?

Pay 23k to home equity. Knock that out then asap.

After that I think I’m saving cash and when I hit 5k I throw that at the other debt.

I’m not smart enough to know if the right thing is to put it towards the student loans first and get rid of them or the car.

Do you have multiple student loans or is it just one loan?
by mortfree
Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Christmas Gifts (Cash) for Grandkids
Replies: 51
Views: 10256

Re: Christmas Gifts (Cash) for Grandkids

the_wiki wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:15 pm In all seriousness, I think it is probably important not to show up the parents in most cases. So maybe be aware of what they are spending on gifts.
I was going to say similar but moreso if grandparents are buying toys (slightly off topic since it says cash)

My kids (11 and 4) will get more toys from their grandparents than Santa.

Kind of takes the fun out of it for me when Santa could easily get those items. Oh well.
by mortfree
Fri Dec 08, 2023 1:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Christmas present = forced retirement
Replies: 128
Views: 20214

Re: Christmas present = forced retirement

Never understand rental math but I’m not getting excited over two rentals bringing in $600 per month.

I understand the mortgage is being paid for by tenants but any remodel or upgrade or maintenance or property taxes etc wipes out that $7200 per year really quick. (????)
by mortfree
Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Breaking mortgage payments as 2 bi-weekly pay
Replies: 8
Views: 1015

Re: Breaking mortgage payments as 2 bi-weekly pay

Just send $6528 as one payment in January.

3650 - 772 = 2878

3650 + 2878 = 6528
by mortfree
Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yet another mortgage pay down thread
Replies: 6
Views: 1148

Re: Yet another mortgage pay down thread

With your assets I would mentally consider the mortgage paid off.

I would look at the amortization schedule in two ways.

1) Normal payment and then what is the balance in 10 years right before it resets…

2) Payment plus extra each month to have it paid off at the 10-year mark. I think this is what you are doing already.

First one gives you flexibility and a target for the lump sum you will need in the future. You could even set that future lump sum amount aside now and let it earn interest.

Second one locks away extra money each month with no reward other than interest saving as you still have to make the payment every month.
by mortfree
Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should my 32 yo son pay off his mortgage?
Replies: 100
Views: 10070

Re: Should my 32 yo son pay off his mortgage?

Another math perspective

45000 divided by $540 is 83 months to get back to having that 45k again by solely saving the old mortgage payment.

Which is basically the term remaining on the 15 year mortgage anyways. If I am following.

I’d tread water for now and not pay it off.

If the mortgage payment was a lot higher then I might be more inclined to pay it off. But at $540 for P&I that’s less than my grocery bill.
by mortfree
Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: To VOO or not to VOO?...
Replies: 15
Views: 4030

Re: To VOO or not to VOO?...

marlin2023 wrote: Sat Dec 02, 2023 1:04 am I'll answer possibly the other question in your post.

Should you diversify away from s&p 500?

Sure, but not with a total market index, or not one that is market cap weighted. As they are 99% return related to the s&p 500 anyways. Just because of how they are built. Instead think of adding a mid cap or small cap fund for true diversification you are thinking of.
I do not believe that would be considered diversification by choosing a mid or small cap when someone already owns S&P500.
by mortfree
Sat Nov 25, 2023 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do I Have Too Much In Cash?
Replies: 14
Views: 4357

Re: Do I Have Too Much In Cash?

500k across accounts is awesome.

Years ago when I wondered if I had too much cash, I solved that problem by maxing out my 401k. I was already maxing a Roth IRA

Maybe a spin-off question is do you have enough in retirement buckets?

Are you maxing your retirement accounts?
by mortfree
Wed Nov 22, 2023 3:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying down car loan
Replies: 36
Views: 4839

Re: Paying down car loan

What is the source of the money you would use to pay down the car loan - from the 40k so you go below your desired amount in checking or from new money coming in that is in excess of the 40k?

I wasn’t sure.

Separately are you getting a good interest rate on your checking account? I keep $20 in checking at a credit union and a good amount of cash at CapOne (4.3%).
by mortfree
Sat Nov 18, 2023 6:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Called to the Principals office [401(k) investment choices questioned]
Replies: 107
Views: 14059

Re: Called to the Principals office

Other similar threads have recommended telling the advisor that you are a self directed investor and that usually keeps them away.
by mortfree
Sat Nov 11, 2023 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smoke Detectors
Replies: 56
Views: 6237

Re: Smoke Detectors

Wiring will depend on whether the plug on your old one fits the new one. If not, then turn off power to smoke detectors and disconnect the old harness and install the new wiring harness.

Consider getting combination smoke/CO for first floor and then hallway upstairs (assuming two level) and basement if you have one.

Basically have a CO on each level.

And the 10 year battery backup feature is very nice. I will get them next time or the Nest version. But I hopefully still have four years until they need replaced.
by mortfree
Thu Oct 26, 2023 4:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to get credit card interest waived
Replies: 26
Views: 2968

Re: How to get credit card interest waived

Just to add that if one were to go ahead and request that the card is cancelled, be sure that all of your rewards have been redeemed before doing so.
by mortfree
Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank refuses to deposit insurance check because of payee names
Replies: 53
Views: 8969

Re: Bank refuses to deposit insurance check because of payee names

My insurance company did electronic transfer and only needed my debit card account number when I got final payment on a claim.

Maybe that’s possible or maybe the amount doesn’t allow them to do so here.
by mortfree
Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 - paying off a student loan for my daughter's husband? Pro / Con?
Replies: 58
Views: 5735

Re: 529 - paying off a student loan for my daughter's husband? Pro / Con?

I wouldn’t touch the 529.

Personally I would be mad that I have 725k in a 529.

Now if you have that much in a 529, I can only imagine what you have in taxable and retirement accounts.

Options would be:
Request a payoff amount from the loan provider and pay it directly from your checking account or wherever. Never think about this financial move ever again.

Let them pay it off.

You’ll be more jaded if you pay it off and then they buy a car, go on vacation or some other splurge.
by mortfree
Wed Oct 04, 2023 12:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I give up on college?
Replies: 77
Views: 8639

Re: Should I give up on college?

Any student loans that you are paying on for the previous experiences?

I’d say no to anymore college right now as it doesn’t seem like you need it to earn money in your current role or even future roles if you stay in property management.
by mortfree
Sun Sep 24, 2023 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finance solar or pay cash?
Replies: 47
Views: 4115

Re: Finance solar or pay cash?

25k is about 10 years of electric bills for me. And if you finance that would add even more time.

How is going solar a good move other than the carbon footprint?

How new is your roof?
by mortfree
Wed Sep 20, 2023 6:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ETrade / Morgan Stanley conversion and rounding of share lots (personal finance software)
Replies: 5
Views: 931

Re: ETrade / Morgan Stanley conversion and rounding of share lots (personal finance software)

I ended up using the Add Shares transaction to get the share count to match.

Not sure what impact that will have
by mortfree
Sun Sep 10, 2023 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ETrade / Morgan Stanley conversion and rounding of share lots (personal finance software)
Replies: 5
Views: 931

Re: ETrade / Morgan Stanley conversion and rounding of share lots (personal finance software)

Any chance you figured this out?

I noticed this last weekend and some of the share counts didn’t seem to be just a rounding issue but I only did a quick glance after seeing my online balance didn’t match quicken.

And then I didn’t have the energy to look any further.
by mortfree
Tue Aug 15, 2023 2:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you buy a house in our situation?
Replies: 34
Views: 4988

Re: Would you buy a house in our situation?

Any concerns on home insurance?

Thought I’ve read where insurance companies are leaving Florida or going out of business. Maybe it’s location specific.